As we age, some of this higher organization of various molecules and structures, along with the communication systems to control them, slowly breaks down.  This is due partly to the loss of high energy ATP necessary to maintain this organization, and partly to our genetic programs that control the synthesis and turn-over of various molecules and enzymes at the cellular level.  

Cells, tissues and organs like our heart, brain, and skeletal muscles require high-energy molecules like ATP from mitochondria to drive almost all of our cellular, organ and tissue processes.  If you ever wondered how we move our muscles and limbs, we need mitochondrial energy in the form of ATP and organized structures both within and outside cells to do this, as well as nerve cells to transmit the messages from our brain to our muscles to execute these movements.

As we age, some of this higher organization of various molecules and structures, along with the communication systems to control them, slowly breaks down. This loss of organizational control is increasingly visible as we get older, and in our last days it becomes very obvious that our systems and organs are no longer highly coordinated and under strict control.  

If you’re a science buff like me, here’s a bit more to digest! An important part of the control and organization of our tissues and organs depends on our ability to move nutrients (and molecular messages) to various places where they are utilized, and, when these nutrients are in excess, to store them properly in cells and tissues until they are needed.  Our cells also break down structures and molecules that are no longer needed or are functionally deficient, and they recycle the subcomponents of these structures or individual molecules and repair them or destroy them and remove them from cells. Eventually the molecular remains that are removed from cells, organs, and tissues are sent to the gastrointestinal system for further degradation and elimination.  This system works like a series of conveyor belts that move molecules around our bodies, from nutrients being imported to degradation products being exported out of our cells and tissues and sent to organs for secretion.  This whole process of building components and structures and later tearing them down and recycling or eliminating their parts when they are no longer functional requires cellular energy, and this is also an important part of aging.   As we get older, our bodies seem to do less building and more tearing down, and there is less coordination in the process.

How can we reverse this?  One validated way is to keep moving—literally.  Continuing to move and exercise, even in our later years, helps to maintain our muscle mass and stimulate the processes that maintain our body’s structures and functions.  Another important ingredient in aging is to maintain the energy necessary to keep building new molecules and structures and to maintain existing structures that are essential.  This is where Membrane Lipid Replacement with NTFactor® Lipids comes in—providing the essential membrane lipids that build mitochondria and other cellular membrane systems in order to provide the energy to keep our molecular conveyor belts moving.  

Prof. Emeritus Garth Nicolson, PhD, MD (H)
The Institute for Molecular Medicine
Huntington Beach, California

References:

Nicolson GL. Membrane Lipid Replacement—a functional approach to repairing cellular membranes, reducing symptoms,  and restoring function.  Functional Food Science 2022; 2(8): 198-204. https://doi.org/10.31989/ffs.v2i8.990

Nicolson GL, Ferreira de Mattos G, Settineri R, Breeding PC. Membrane Lipid Replacement and its role in restoring mitochondrial membrane function and reducing symptoms in aging and age-related clinical conditions.  Nature Cell Science 2024; 2(4): 238-256.
https://doi.org/10.61474/ncs.2024.00038

The discussion delves into Dr. Nicolson’s findings, including his influential fluid mosaic model of cell membrane structure. The focus then shifts to the importance of maintaining mitochondrial membrane integrity to combat aging and various age-related clinical conditions.

Dr. Nicolson explains the benefits of membrane lipid replacement therapy using NTFactor Lipids to restore mitochondrial function, address fatigue, support recovery from chemotherapy, aid in chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia and long COVID, and assist in conditions such as schizophrenia, autism, and EMF sensitivity. The episode highlights the broad therapeutic potential of NTFactor Lipids, emphasizing their role in enhancing energy levels, promoting healing, and improving overall cellular health.

You can listen to the whole conversation below!

The well-being of mitochondrial membranes, especially the inner mitochondrial membrane, is vital to our bodies. Virtually every system and function in our bodies depends on it. Cell health determines how your circulatory system works, your skeletal health, your ability to support a healthy immune system, and much more. This includes the millions upon millions of biological processes that take place at the enzyme and cell function levels. Each of these contributes to the overall support of good health.

How can we maintain our mitochondrial membranes? NTFactor Lipids^® provides glycerophospholipids to our body’s cells—and especially our mitochondria. Glycerophospholipids are the necessary undamaged building blocks that form the matrix of all biomembranes and provide matrix barriers for every membrane in our cells and tissues.  Our natural tissue structures and transport systems allow NTFactor Lipids^® to be transported to every cell in our body, where they can replace damaged lipids in our cellular membranes and return them to normal function.

How effective is Membrane Lipid Replacement in repairing cellular membranes, especially mitochondrial membranes? We have published the results of several clinical trials to prove its effectiveness in terms of maintaining mitochondrial function, lowering fatigue, increasing cognition and improving other symptoms and parameters that are affected by chronic health conditions.

Daily use of oral NTFactor Lipids^® is a simple and convenient way to maintain our cellular membranes’ health and function.  It can also be an important tool in aiding recovery from the cellular damage caused by chronic conditions, and by viral and bacterial infections. The ability to maintain cellular function, and to revere from illnesses like infections, depends on our abilities to maintain cell and immune function and the production of high-energy molecules like ATP. This is what NTFactor® and NTFactor® Lipids were designed to do!

Prof. Emeritus Garth Nicolson, PhD, MD (H) 
The Institute for Molecular Medicine, 
Huntington Beach, California 

References

Nicolson GL. Membrane Lipid Replacement—a functional approach to repairing cellular membranes, reducing symptoms,  and restoring function.  Functional Food Science 2022; 2(8): 198-204. 
https://doi.org/10.31989/ffs.v2i8.990

Nicolson GL, Ferreira de Mattos G, Settineri R, Breeding PC. Membrane Lipid Replacement and its role in restoring mitochondrial membrane function and reducing symptoms in aging and age-related clinical conditions.  Nature Cell Science 2024; 2(4): 238-256.
https://doi.org/10.61474/ncs.2024.00038